In diabetes, excess blood sugars damage tiny blood vessels in the kidney, allowing useful proteins and red blood cells to escape into the urine. Doctors thought that the B vitamin thiamine, which is essential for the heart, muscles and nervous system, could reverse kidney-filter damage. Forty participants with type 2 diabetes and damaged kidneys took 100 mg of thiamine three times per day or a placebo for three months, then stopped taking thiamine for two more months.

After three months, those in the thiamine group had 41 percent less protein in the urine compared to the start of the study, while the placebo group had not improved. More than one-third in the thiamine group saw kidney function return to normal. The thiamine group also continued to improve slightly during the next two months. There were no side effects.

Diabetics typically have high levels of damaged (oxidized) LDL, the “bad” cholesterol, raising risk for heart trouble. The amino acid L-carnitine is an antioxidant that occurs naturally in the body and helps turn fat into energy. Doctors wanted to see if L-carnitine could reduce oxidized LDL.

The researchers gave 81 participants with type 2 diabetes 2,000 mg of L-carnitine per day or a placebo. After three months, those in the L-carnitine group had lost five times as much oxidized LDL and about three times as much total LDL as had the placebo group. For the most common fat in the blood, triglycerides, the L-carnitine group had lost more than 10 times the amount of triglycerides compared to placebo.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Information provided on this site is solely for informational purposes only.
It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Do not use this information for
diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing of any medications or
supplements. Only your healthcare provider should diagnose your healthcare problems and
prescribe treatment. None of our statements or information, including health claims, articles,
advertising or product information have been evaluated or approved by the United States Food
and Drug Administration (FDA). The products or ingredients referred to on this site are
not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please consult your healthcare
provider before starting any supplement, diet or exercise program, before taking any medications
or receiving treatment, particularly if you are currently under medical care. Make sure you
carefully read all product labeling and packaging prior to use. If you have or suspect you
may have a health problem, do not take any supplements without first consulting and obtaining
the approval of your healthcare provider.
California Consumers – Proposition 65 requires sellers to notify California consumers
of substances that are in many foods, plants, herbs and supplements with the following warning.
WARNING: These products contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause birth
defects or other reproductive harm.